In a solemnly lit basement room amidst moving boxes, the gentle glow of my computer monitor tempering the circular rhythm of the turntable to my immediate left; my mind drifts away thousands of miles to the Southeastern USA. With 180 grams of vinyl soothing soul comforting music my heart is called home to a familiar place in Hendersonville, TN this time of year; recalling the warmth and confiding spirit which surrounds the grave of the Man In Black with his Wildwood Flower at his side.

This is the time of year that we remember the man that quietly walked aloof among us with his dark tenuous shadow forced to transit his darkest memories from today onward. I often think of Cash and wonder if he can hear us where he now resides out among the stars. A man who spent so much of his life dedicated unto and for the people who made his dreams reality; would it be beyond the realm of practical reason to think that someway and somehow he’s still here. I like to think so.

I’ve come to recall after several visits to Johnny’s final resting place that his mortal coil remains but the man we love so dearly and his music are still with us in much more than was ever offered in mortal flesh. His spirit occupies the seediest of bar’s to rejoice in his birthday, it rejoices in a young person’s ears the first time they play “Folsom Prison Blues”, it resides in an old woman’s heart as she is reminded of her wedding dance with her new husband. At a time when his birthday is upon us we need only remind ourselves the best gift is that he was shared with us for so many years and that in those years we were given a man who knew nothing short of “giving completely – until exhaustion – yet giving more”.

Each time I have visited his grave I have felt an incomparable energy literally surging beneath his bronze marker. It’s an uneasy feeling but certainly a comforting feeling to know it has never died, though the man that shouldered that energy may have passed. With his weathered watchful eye cast across us – he is watchful and patient. There will never be another like Cash and I’m thankful; he is an original and a man for the people. He was a man meant for the generations – his greatest blessing is the ability of Cash to draw a family together. His music and his legend is such that it is meant to be an heirloom in each family, to be shared with the next generation. The crackling pop of aged smoky vinyl playing on the turntable – watching your youngest child hear “Big River” for the first time.

Cash was more than black, ironically Cash was light in our lives and through his imagery of black he balanced the light that would guide us through song in his departure and long since. Grieving is natural and the wounds are still fresh but in his birthday and remembering his offerings to date we have reason to celebrate and wish him a happiest birthday.We miss and love you Johnny Cash; your light still shines

I couldn’t manage the problems I laid on myselfAnd it just made it worse when I laid them on somebody elseSo I finally surrendered it all brought down in despairI cried out for help and I felt a warm comforter there And I came to believe in a power much higher than II came to believe that I needed help to get by​In childlike faith I gave in and gave him a tryAnd I came to believe in a power much higher than INothing worked out when I handled it all on my ownAnd each time I failed it made me feel twice as aloneThen I cried, “Lord there must be a sure and easier wayFor it just cannot be that a man should lose hope every day.”